Start a Club

WHAT YOU NEED:

The Basics

At least 5 youth members from at least 3 different families. The club members must also select youth officers to provide leadership to the club.

An adult club leader. Club leaders may be either a 4-H staff member or volunteer. Volunteers must be screened and trained through their local Extension office.

A place or means to meet. Clubs must meet at least 6 times throughout the year, either face-to-face or virtually. Clubs meeting face-to-face may meet in any location, including members' homes, community center, military installation, library, public housing site, or school. Many clubs hold 9-12 meetings throughout most or all of the year, and often supplement with project meetings, camps, fairs, and other 4-H learning activities.

Constitution & Bylaws

4-H Clubs must function formally through a constitution and by-laws. These are organizing documents of a club and describe how the club operates. A current copy of the club Constitution and Bylaws must be kept on file in the county Extension office. Download the 4-H Club Constitution and Bylaws template below to get started. The Constitution and Bylaws Template is a guide used to assist Nebraska 4-H Clubs with providing structure around the Club's name/identity; mission and purpose; membership; officers' duties and terms; meetings, fiscal operations; use of club revenue; and dissolution.

Constitution & Bylaws Template

Club Charter

4-H Clubs must be chartered by 4-H National Headquarters at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska state 4-H office in order to be recognized as part of 4-H, and to be authorized to use the 4-H Name and Emblem. The Nebraska state 4-H office will maintain documentation of the issuance of Charters to 4-H entities within Nebraska. See Charter Club Application below for more information.

When a new 4-H club is formed in Nebraska, the 4-H volunteer leader or other person in charge of the 4-H unit must complete the Request for Official Approval for Establishment of New 4-H Unit and Club Charter. Completion of this form provides the 4-H club permission to use the 4-H Name and Emblem. Download the form below to get started. Click "enable editing" to be able to edit the form fields. Once the first page is filled, save the document as a .docx file with the last name of the applicant added to the original file name. 

The completed form can be submitted to the UNL 4-H Club Charter Requests email.

Request Official Establishment of New 4-H Club Form

Club Name

Any organization that functions for the purpose of furthering 4-H objectives and programs and has been formally authorized to use the 4-H name and emblem by the appropriate representative of the Cooperative Extension Service must have names that:

• Club names are specific to the 4-H club or organization either through a unique name or by identifying the county or location. Examples: Share-N-Win 4-H Club (unique name); Calvert County 4-H Horse Club (generic name with county);
• Club names are not overtly religious or represent the beliefs of one denomination over another;
• Do not imply that membership is limited or exclusive; and,
• Clubs names are not offensive or generally seen as demeaning to any group protected by equal opportunity regulations.